Tip #2 Strategies for a UN Job Search: Research the Duty Stations

Part 2 of a 5-Part Blog Series By Katarina Holm-DiDio

Last week we blogged about the UN Common System and shared resources to help you to learn more about what it is,  how it works, and its relevance to your job search.  It is critical  that you understand the UNCS to be effective with your job  search. If you missed that blog, you can find it at Tip #1  Strategic Job Search for UN Jobs: Learn about the UNCS.

We will cover a new tip each week to help you with your UN  job search. So be sure to return next week for the next tip! The 5 Tips are:

1. Learn what the United Nations Common System (UNCS) is and does.
2. Diversify your job search and research the Duty Stations.
3. Review the different recruitment programs and options to work at the UN.
4. Identify what the hiring UN organization is seeking.
5. Submit well-written, appropriate job applications.

This week we’ll share some tips on how and why to seek employment opportunities in less commonly sought after Duty Stations.

TIP #2:  Diversify your Job Search and Research the Duty Stations

Some UN Organizations have a stronger field presence, such as UNICEF and World Food Programme (WFP). Others have historically been based at headquarters (e.g., UN Secretariat), but that is also changing. The UN Secretariat’s Peacekeeping Operations is heavily field-based and many Secretariat employees rotate to different duty stations every few years.

Do not limit your search to the headquarters’ offices in New York, Geneva, Vienna and Bangkok where most job applicants compete.  Instead, look at smaller duty stations that attract less applicant interest. For information about diverse job listings, visit the UN Job List. Here you can also learn about how different positions are getting significant online interest. Also be sure to check out the Analytics section, which breaks down the jobs by agency. Keep in mind that applying to jobs that have attracted less attention online, may increase your chances to be noticed.

Next week we’ll share tips on the variety of recruitment programs that you may want to consider when applying for jobs at the UN.

NOTE: If you are a member of Passport Career (meaning your organization or university/college pays for a license so that you have access), then you can access the all five tips immediately in the My Global Career Briefcase section. There are also many other tips and strategies available to you in this section. If your organization is interested in more information about how to purchase a license to access Passport Career’s 12,000+ pages of career information and resources for 250+ cities in 78 countries, contact info@passportcareer.com.

Katarina Holm-DiDio is a cross-cultural career consultant and trainer working with expatriates moving to the US and clients interested in global careers. She is also a cross-cultural trainer specialized in the US and the Nordic Countries and a columnist interpreting current events in the US for newspapers in Finland. She writes her own blog at KHD Consulting International’s Global Skills for Life and Work.